Zespri

Zespri is a New Zealand success story, exporting nearly NZ$2 billion of premium-quality Kiwifruit to 56 countries around the world last season. The Bay of Plenty is the centre of New Zealand’s kiwifruit industry, with increasing numbers of visitors coming to experience the Zespri story.

In response to rapid growth, Zespri’s new 8,000m2 head office replaces their original building at 400 Maunganui Road adjoining TCC reserve land.

The client required a landmark building representing the Global HQ for the Zespri brand. The space needed to welcome visitors, foster pride in the people who work there and be a strong representation of a beloved brand; all while meeting grower and shareholder needs and to proudly ‘fly the flag’ for the local community.

The design is generated from a vibrant and dynamic workplace community wrapped within a simple transparent high-performance building skin; the functionality of the interior, circulation and user journeys within determine the exterior form.

A best-practice Activity Based Workplace requires a forward-thinking, technology-enabled workplace. Zespri’s people now have the autonomy to choose where and how they work; the levels are connected both horizontally and vertically, with a range of diverse spaces appropriate to different working styles. Visitors are welcomed into the heart of the building on the ground floor and can then connect visually and physically to the entire organisation.

Circulation is managed by the creation of a central atrium connecting all floors and providing legibility and natural light into the heart of all floors.

Full height high performance double glazing is shaded by sunscreens and louvres to control glare and heat gain. Between the sunscreens is a service walkway for cleaning and maintenance access.

The cedar clad single-storey north wing and Porte Cohere bisect the main building form grounding the building and reinforcing the connection to the mountain, while offsetting the light, bright dynamic nature of the façade above. The north wing contains executive spaces and hospitality areas requiring increased privacy.

Alongside the natural timbers and raw materials there is a deliberate use of colour both inside and out, reflecting the energy of the brand and the horticultural nature of the business.

Both the external and internal design is aligned with Zespri’s vision of ‘making life delicious’, encapsulating the spirit of the brand and the internal business values.